Road trip routes

Grand Canyon loop from Phoenix

Red rocks, the canyon and slot canyons in one loop: north through Sedona, along the South Rim, up to Page and back down to the Valley.

• About 640 mi1,030 km
• About 11 hdriving
• 4 days
• USArizona

The route

1. Day 1: Phoenix to Sedona

   About 115 mi, 2 h

   • I-17 north, then AZ-179 into Sedona.
   • On the way: Montezuma Castle National Monument, a few minutes off I-17.
   • Many Sedona trailheads need a Red Rock Pass to park. Sleep in Sedona or Flagstaff.

2. Day 2: Sedona to the Grand Canyon South Rim

   About 110 mi, 2.5 h

   • Drive up Oak Creek Canyon on AZ-89A to Flagstaff, then US-180 to the park.
   • Entrance is $35 per car for 7 days, and cash isn't accepted. Since 2026, visitors who don't live in the US (16 and older) pay an extra $100 each. Check Grand Canyon fees before you go.
   • Sleep in the park or in Tusayan, and book early.

3. Day 3: South Rim to Page

   About 140 mi, 3 h

   • Go east on Desert View Drive (AZ-64), stopping at the viewpoints and the Desert View Watchtower, then down to Cameron and north on US-89.
   • Fill up in Tusayan or Cameron. There are long stretches with few services and gaps in cell signal.
   • In Page: Horseshoe Bend is a short walk from a paid parking lot. Antelope Canyon is only visited on guided tours run by Navajo companies, so book ahead.
   • Time zones: Arizona doesn't use daylight saving time, but the Navajo Nation does, and phones can switch on their own. Check which time your tour uses.

4. Day 4: Page to Phoenix

   About 275 mi, 4.5 h

   • US-89 south to Flagstaff, then I-17 down to Phoenix.
   • Optional: the Sunset Crater and Wupatki loop just north of Flagstaff adds about an hour.

Good to know

• Flagstaff and the South Rim are around 7,000 feet. From November to March, check for snow and road closures.
• Two cars? Agree on the next stop before Cameron. Cell service is spotty and it's easy to lose each other.

Written by the Cerqa team on October 21, 2026 from public sources. Distances and times are rough driving estimates without stops. Rules, hours and fees change, so check the official links before you go. Drove it recently? Tell us what's changed.